Tough bargaining for the new Belharra frigates - French fears for the ONEX shipyard - Pressure from Athens

In particular, the proposal concerns the creation of a local production line at the Skaramangas shipyards, with which the French state-owned company has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU).

It is recalled that three FDIs are already being built in French shipyards in Lorient, while the fourth is under negotiation, with plans to also built it in France.

The proposal, signed by France, was submitted in recent days and is being examined by the Armed Forces' staff, raising to seven the number of frigates that Athens could potentially procure.

However, for the implementation of the proposal, according to well-informed sources, it is necessary to clarify some critical aspects concerning the transfer of French know-how to the Greek contractor of the project.

In this context, ONEX, which has fully controlled the Eleusis Shipyards since 2024 and Syros since 2019, has repeatedly pressed the Greek government to undertake the construction and maintenance of warships, from frigates and corvettes to gunboats and fast guided missile patrol boats (GPBs), with the integration of cutting-edge technologies and weapons systems.

Indeed, Panos Xenokostas, president of the company, speaking recently at an ELIAMEP conference, had emphasized the need to strengthen the industry in Greece through such investments.

However, the French proposal leaves out of the "game" the Eleusis Shipyards, which had expressed their strong interest in the P.N. programs, qualifying the Skaramangas shipyards, owned by the well-known shipowner George Prokopios.

The French objections to ONEX shipyards due to the involvement of the American factor

The French side prefers Skaramangas Shipyards as the Greek contractor for the possible co-production of the additional three FDI (Belharra) frigates for the Navy, as it has been in contact with the new management of the shipyards that have entered a reconstruction phase for some time.

According to information from iefimerida, a factor preventing the French state giant from choosing ONEX instead of Skaramangas is the fact that Panos Xenokostas' ONEX in Eleusis is supported by an American state fund.

In fact, the involvement of the American factor in the investment in the shipyards owned by the company is notable, as ONEX has secured financing of 125 million dollars from the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC).

Consequently, ONEX, according to sources from Paris, is considered by French executives as the US arm in Greece and Europe. Thus, according to their reading, the transfer of critical French technology and know-how into American hands is risky after recent geopolitical developments and the fierce competition between the EU and the new Trump Administration in the fields of defense and security.

What will Dendias discuss with the French Defense Minister
Naval's plan has the approval of French President Emmanuel Macron and Defense Minister Sébastien Lecorny, who is expected in Athens at the beginning of Holy Week and therefore the French proposal will be high on the agenda of the two counterparts' discussions.

The two men will also discuss developments on the Meteor issue, the French intentions to cooperate with the Greek defense industry and the terms and conditions of the 4th frigate that is under negotiation.

According to information from iefimerida, Athens expects Lecorny, with regard to the French proposal, to confirm that he is ready to propose a preferential price for the cost of the frigates to be built in Greece and to commit to accelerating the transfer of technology and know-how to Greek shipyards.

It is recalled that the cost of each frigate reaches 1 billion euros (fully equipped and armed).

For the fourth, France, according to information, is proposing approximately 850 million euros, with special, high-tech equipment, which will be made available free of charge to compensate for the disagreement regarding the Meteors.

In fact, according to a report by the French Telegramme and its correspondent in Athens, Fabien Perrier, "Greece intends to stay at the forefront and profit from this, at an economic level. The construction of a frigate requires approximately 1,500 people."

Naval's moves that portend close cooperation with the Greek defense industry
In particular, with regard to the transfer of know-how since the signing of the

contract for the FDI frigates of the Hellenic Navy and within the framework of the industrial cooperation program (HIP - Hellenic Participation Plan), over 120 contracts have been signed with more than 60 Greek companies.

These companies have joined Naval Group's global supply chain and have the opportunity to participate in other programs and future international calls for tenders, which will strengthen their capabilities, economic benefits and their presence in the global naval defense market.

A typical example is the collaboration with Prisma electronics based in the Evros region.

At the end of February, Naval Group, in collaboration with the PRISMA team, carried out the Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) of the critical electronic equipment of the frigates' main weapon system. In fact, this is the quality control carried out by equipment manufacturers before the delivery of their products. During the FAT, the manufacturer checks the equipment to ensure that it is functioning properly and meets the agreed specifications. This equipment will be shipped to France to be integrated into the FDI frigates.

Collaboration with Greek universities and institutes
Naval Group has developed relationships with research and education institutions to strengthen its innovative activities in Greece and support the development of future naval warfare capabilities. Such as:

R&D Partners Days: They are organized every year in Athens (5th edition in 2025) for networking with current and new partners, with the aim of finding future research projects. Results:
20 European projects with 40 Greek partners
Participation in the USSPs program (maritime surveillance) with ETME as coordinator
In 2024: participation of Greek partners in the EPC2 projects, Calipso (alternative propulsion), Seacure (unmanned & seabed), E=MCM (mine warfare)
Two R&D cooperation protocols: with the Naval Academy and Demokritos (energy, quantum technology)
Collaboration with NTUA, University of Patras & BT Composite for composite materials